Skimmeb boat



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INVENTOR Zellmm hufltaf @MWW@ ATTORNEYS Aug. 24,1926. 1,597,209

. vW. c. SCHUL-rs SKIMMER kBOAT Filed August 13, 1929 2 sheets-sheet z INVENTOR f, 4 Mmmm 0 Schul-f@ I l M i BY WQ@ ATTORNEYS WITNESSES CII Patented Aug. 24, 1926;

UNITED STATES WILLIAM C. SCHULTS,` OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SKIMMER BOAT.

Application filed August 13, 1925.

This invention relates to marine craft, and has particular reference to a skimmer boat.

vThe invention broadly comprehends a boat which is constructed in such a 'manner and adapted to be propelled as to skim over the 'surface of the water, whereby it will afford the least possible resistance in order to obtain a maximum speed from a minimum motlvepower. Y

The invention furthermore contemplates a skimmer boat which in addition to embodying a hull of a shape to cause alift to be exerted thereon by its forward movement through the water, makes use of a planing surface of general aerofoil design for exerting an auxiliary lifting action by the movement of said planing surface through the air. i

As a further object the invention comprehends a skimmer boatl in whichthe hull design is of greater width or beam dimension than of length or fore-and-aft dimension, with a downwardly and rearwardly r inclined bow to afford a water planing surface operable by the forward movement of the vessel to effect a climbing or lifting action of the hull for decreasing the draft of the .vessel to a minimum.

As a further object the invention includes means consisting of a plurality of parallel laterally spaced heels for maintaining a true course while minimizing side slip.

The invention embodies as a further object in a skimmer boat, adjustable means for obtaining a fore-andaft trim to compensate for variation inthe speed, weight of the cargo, or weather conditions.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a combination air and water drive propulsion mechanism with means for selectively employing either at the option of the pilot. y y

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved steering means consisting of a combination air and water rudder by virtue of which the craft may be efectually guided or steered when traveling at low or high speeds.

The invention furthermore comprehends a boat of the character set forth which is comparatively simple in its construction, inexpensive to build and operate, and which is i highly efficient in its purpose.

Withthe above recited and other objects in View, referenceis lhad to the following Serial No. 50,079.

specification and accompanying drawings in which there is exhibited one example or emembodiment of the invention which is in no way intended as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims as it is to be clearly 4understood that variations and modifications which properly fall within the scope of said claims may be resorted to when found expedient.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a boat constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the main hull taken approximately on the line lfil of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of the main hull of the vessel;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side View of the propulsion mechanism.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, 10 designates the main hull which is of greater width or beam dimension than of length or fore-andaft dimension, the same being provided with a forwardly and upwardly inclined bow 11 extending from the substantially fiat bottom 12. The bottom 12 is provided with a plurality of parallel transversely spaced longitudinally extending lreels 13 for the purpose of maintaining the hull in a true course and for reducing to a minimum side slip. The hull is provided with a continuous gunwale 14;` extending inwardly and upwardly at an incline to reduce, as far as possible, wind 4and air resistance to the movement of the vessel while serving in its usual capacity, as a means for preventing the shipping of water.`

Supported from the hull 12 by uprights 15, is a plane 16 of general aerofoil shape which upon forward movement of the vessel functions as an auxiliary lifting means for maintaining the hull in a raised position relative to the surface of the water, combined with the general lifting or raising action set up by the inclined bow and greater beam dimension.

In order to provide means for steadying the main hull against pitching, a tail hull or pontoon 17 is provided, which is in the nature of a closed hollow body of general sled shape and having an upwardly and forwardly inclined `or curved bow 18 extend` ing from the flat bottom 19, which is also provided with a keel 20. The tail hull or pontoon 17 is connected for longitudinal sliding movements with the slide rails 21 of a framework extending rearwardly from the main hull 11. As illustrated, the connection between the pontoon 17 and the side rails consists of a member 2:2 bolted as at 23, to the medial portion of the pontoon and provided at its opposite sides with bearing slots AQlembracing the side rails. At its opposite sides tlie'pontoon has flexibly connected therewith,by flexible elements 25, fore-andaft slide collars 26 and 27 for the purpose of steadying the pontoon and limiting turning mov-ement thereof with respect to the side rails 21.

In order to provide means for effecting longitudinal adjustment of the pontoon on the side rails21 to "obtain thev proper' forevand-aft trim on the main hull to compensate for variations in the weight of the cargo... weather conditions, or for other reasons, a cable 28 is attached to the forward side of f the member 22 and leads to the main hull for drawingrthe pontoon in a forward direction. A cable 29 is attached to the rear side of the member 22 and is trained around a pulley 30 carriedv by the rudder-bearing post 31 which is in turn attachedto the rear cross bar 32 of the side rails 21. The cable 29 leads to the main hull whereby a pull exerted thereon will effect a movement of the pontoon in a rearward direction. Av vertical rudder shaft 33 is journaled in the bearing post 31 and has secured to its upper and lower ends,`respectively, the air rudder 3 4 and water rudder 35. The rudder shaft 33 has secured thereto a cross arm 36, to which is connected the steering rods 3T leading to the main hull. ln order to brace the'rearwardly projecting framework, guy wires 3S extend from the main hull 10 to the rear ends of theside arms 21.

The propulsion mechanism consistsof a motor O mounted in the main hull,tlie motor shaft Ll1 of which is operatively connected bya sprocket-and-chain lconnection l2 or the equivalent, to a countershaft d3, upon which sprockets 411 and l5 are loosely mounted, the former being connected by a sprocket ,chain'd to a sprocketl on the water propeller shaft 48, which Vshaft has secured thereto a waterpropeller 4,9. The sprocket 45' is operatively connected by a sprocket chain 5,0vtoa sprocket 51 on the air. propeller :shaft 52, which shaft has secured theretov an air propeller 53. The sprockets 4d and l5 are formed with clutch teeth 54" andV 55, and a sliding c lutcflr element 56 havingfcompleinentary) clutch teleth 5'? and 5S issplined on .the 'couaelsllaft 43 l Alejcti-ve engaging relation 'with eitherV the aiidyisv movable into se- Cluteh teeth' 54:- 'Qfthe Sillollet 24% For 'the clutch teeth 55 of the sprocket't', for selec" tively driving the water or the air propeller.

ln operation, the vessel when driven forwardly at a high rate of speed by the air propeller, is caused to lift or raise whereby it skims over the surface due to the lifting or raising action set up by the shape of the hull 10 and the auxiliary lifting power of the air planing surface 16. The plane 16 also serves in the capacity of apcover or roef for the mainliull to protect the crew, passengers and cargo from the elements.

What is claimed is 1. A skimmer boat including a main hull of greater width than length, having a forwardly and upwardly inclined bow adapted upon forward motion of the boatto effect the lifting of the same upon the surface of the water, and a superposed air planing element of general aerofoil shape t0 constitute an auxiliary lifting means for raising and maintaining the hull on the surface of the water.

A skimmer boat including a main hull of greater width than length, having a for wardly and upwardly inclined bow adapted upon forward motion of the boat t0v effect the lifting of the same upon the surface of the water, a superposed air planing element 'of general aerofoil shape to constitute an auxiliary lifting means for raising and maintaining the hull on the surface of the water, a rearwardly extending framework from the hull, and a longitudinally adjustable pontoon carried thereby for obtaining a fore-and-aft trim of the hull.

8. A skimmer boat including a main hull 1 of greater width than length, having a forwardly and upwardly inclined bow adapted upon forward motion of the boat to effect the'lifting of the same upon the surface of the water, a superposed air planing element of general aerofoil shape to constitute an auxiliary lifting means for raising and maintaining the vhull on t-he surface of the water, a rearwardly extending framework from the hull, a longitudinally adjustable pontoon carried thereby for Vobtaining a fore-and-aft trim of the hull, and means extending from the hull and connected with said pontoon for effectinglongitudinal adjustments thereof from the hull. o

at. A skimmer boat including a main hull of greater width than length, having forwardly and upwardly inclined bow adapted upon forward motion of the boat to effect the lifting of the sam-e upon the rsurface of the water, a superposed air planing element of general Vaerofoil shape to constitute an auxiliary lifting means for rai-sing and maintaining the hull on the surface of the water, a rearward-ly extending framework from the hull, alongitudinally adjustable pontoon carried thereby for obtaining al foreand-aft trim vof j the hull, mea-ns l extending from the hull and connected withsaidf pontoon for effecting longitudinal adjustments thereof from the hull, and steering means carried the rear end of said framework.

5. A skimmer boat including a main hull of greater width than length, having a forwardly and upwardly inclined bow adapted upon forward motion of the boat to effect the lifting of the same upon the surface of the water, a superposed air planing element of general aerofoil shape to constitute an auxiliary lifting means for raising and maintaining the hull on the surface of the water-, a rearwardly extending framework from the hull, a longitudinally adjustable pontoon carried thereby for obtaining a fore-and-aft trim of the hull, means extending from the hull and connect-ed with lsaid pontoon for effecting longitudinal adjustments thereof from the hull, and steering means carried by the rear end of said framework, comprising a vertical shaft turnable from the hull and provided vwith an air rudder disposed above the surface of the water and a water rudder submerged therein.

6. A skimmer boat including a main hull of greater width than length, having a forwardly and upwardly inclined bow adapted upon forward motion of the boat to effect the lifting of the same upon the surface of the water, a superposed air planing element of general aerofoil shape to constitute an auxiliary lifting means for raising and lnaintaining the hull on the surface of the water, a rearwardly extending framework from the hull, a longitudinally adjustable pontoon carried thereby for obtaining a fore-and-aft trim of the hull, means extending from the hull and connected with said pontoon for effecting longitudinal adjustments thereof from the hull, steering means carried by the rear end of said framework, comprising a vertical shaft turnable from the hull and provided with an air rudder disposed above the surface of the water and a water rudder submerged therein, and a propelling mechanism including water and air propellers, a motor, and means for selectively coupling said propellers with the motor.

7. A boat including a main hull of greater width than its length, having a flat bottom provided with a forwardly and upwardly inclined bow and formed on said flat bottom with transversely spaced parallel longitudinally extending keels, a continuous upwardly projecting inwardly inclined gunwale at the upper edge of the hull, arearwardly spaced longitudinally adjustable pontoon connected with the hull for effecting a fore-and-aft trim, and an air planing element carried by the hull in superposed relation thereto to constitute a covering top and functioning in combination with the shape of the hull, to raise the saine with respect to the surface of the water upon forward movement of the hull.

8. A boat including a main hull of greater width than its length, having a flat bottom provided with a forwardly and upwardly inclined bowl and formed on said flat bottom with transversely spaced parallel longitudinally extending keels, a continuous upwardly projecting inwardly inclined gunwale at the upper edge of the hull, a rearwardly spaced longitudinally adjustable pontoon connected with the hull for effecting a fore-and-aft trim, an air planing element carried by the hull in superposed relation thereto to constitute a covering top and functioning in combination with the shape of the hull, to raise the 'same with respect to the surface of the water upon forward movement of the hull, a combined air and water rudder, and selectively driven air and water propulsion means.

VILLIAM C. SCHLTS. 

